PARTICK THISTLE striker Stephen O’Donnell believes Alan Archibald should win the Manager of the Year award if he keeps the Jags up this season.

The Firhill side have a 16-point lead over Hearts after one game of the Premiership.

But O’Donnell reckons there are still enough factors working against the newly-promoted team for there to be an element of doubt about how the table looks at the end of the season.

The former Aberdeen and Celtic forward said: “We must have the smallest budget of any side in the major league.

“And we’ll likely be competing in the bottom half of the season which is why the gaffer will deserve to be named Manager of the Year if he pulls off our survival.”

Thistle will take their limited resources up to the Highlands this afternoon to face Ross County – and Stephen doesn’t retain fond memories of his previous trips to Dingwall.

He said: “I thought it was a horrible, windy place the last time I played there. But you can’t argue with the way the team plays. They strolled the First Division when they won promotion.

“And from what I saw of the game against Celtic last weekend, they were unfortunate not to get something out of it. And I thought Celtic were playing well into the bargain.

“But we have a 16-point lead over Hearts going into the game at Dingwall because of their 15-point deduction for going into administration.

“That has to be a positive in our favour. It’s certainly better than being on level-pegging.”

Hearts are victim of circumstances, being under a transfer embargo on top of their lost points, but O’Donnell believes it’s too early to say if the Edinburgh club’s disadvantages will ultimately put them down a division.

Stephen O'Donnell (Photo: SNS/Sammy Turner)

He said: “I’d be better placed to answer that question after a few league games have been played. They’ve got a handful of players in the Scotland Under-21 squad to face England next week and that speaks volumes for the depth of young talent at the club.

“But we have to focus on our own results and we made a great start against Dundee United last weekend.”

The scoreless draw between the clubs at Firhill was watched by a crowd of almost 8000 and Stephen doesn’t underestimate the effect of people power on the remainder of his side’s season.

He said: “I felt an increase in the adrenaline rush when I came out of the tunnel and saw that number of supporters.

“We repaid our fans because I thought it was one of the best 0-0 draws I’d ever played in.

“If the crowds stay up at that level then maybe our chairman can release some money for the manager to get in extra players in the January transfer window.

“But the bottom line for now is Thistle deserve to be in the top league because we are First Division champions.”

O’Donnell scored a stunning 25-yard goal to beat Ayr United in the League Cup on Tuesday night – and help win them a home tie against Cowdenbeath in the next round.

He added: “The Premiership is a different level. And we’ve still to score there.